(WITHDRAWN) Exploring Sex Trafficking Risk Factors for LGBTQ+ Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness

Background and Purpose: How to best assist LGBTQ+ young adults experiencing homelessness and reporting sex trafficking victimization is a developing field of knowledge. Currently, the majority of human trafficking literature and social services provided across the United States focus on the victimization and rehabilitation of cisgender females. LGBTQ+ youth are victims of 7.4 times more acts of sexual violence during their lifetime than their heterosexual homeless peers (Cochran et al., 2002) and disproportionately experience homelessness (that is, 20–40% of homeless youth self-identify as LGBTQ+) (Estes & Weiner, 2001; Friedman et al., 2011; Ray, 2006; Rosario et al., 2012). LGBTQ+ homeless youth are at a heightened risk for sex trafficking victimization due to their overrepresentation in the homeless youth population (Gordon & Hunter, 2013; Schwarz & Britton, 2015).

Methods: This study utilized a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design consisting of two distinct phases: quantitative followed by qualitative (Creswell et al., 2003). The 2019 Youth Experience Survey (N = 147) data analyses focused on the risk factors of LGBTQ+ young adults experiencing homelessness and reporting sex trafficking victimization. These findings guided follow-up qualitative interviews (N = 16) to contextualize and provide insight into the statistically significant YES 2019 findings.

Results: The main findings include a) the odds of being LGBTQ+ and experiencing homelessness and reporting sex trafficking victimization were 2.41 times greater (95%CI: 1.22, 4.74) than being a cisgender heterosexual experiencing homelessness and reporting sex trafficking victimization; and b) risk factors that contributed significantly to a binary logistic regression model to predict being an LGBTQ+ young adult experiencing homelessness and reporting sex trafficking victimization included having a current medical issue, having a history of dating violence, having a childhood history of sexual abuse (ACEs sexual abuse), having a history of binging/vomiting, and having a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The interviews back up quantitative data for contextualization purposes.

Conclusions and Implications: The findings of this study confirm the need for more social services for LGBTQ+ young adults experiencing homelessness and reporting sex trafficking victimization. Additionally, healthcare providers must consider screening for eating disorders among LGBTQ+ young adults experiencing homelessness and reporting sex trafficking victimization. Finally, future research on LGBTQ+ young adults experiencing homelessness and reporting sex trafficking victimization is recommended.